A zoning amendment to restrict the storage of commercial fertilizers in groundwater protection districts gained the support of the planning board, Sept. 10, but not unanimously.

Planning Board Chair Matt Teague was among the dissenters in the 4 to 3 vote, wanting time to discuss what existing regulations were in place through the board of health. During the hearing he noted that if adopted, the ordinance would only apply going forward for new or expanded uses.

Teague questioned the enforceability of the ordinance, as there would be no baseline information to determine whether preexisting storage levels were increased. He said he didn’t question the merits, but the enforceability.

The ordinance, which would apply town-wide, was developed by the Hyannis Water Board and its consultants. Water board chair Deb Krau agreed with Teague’s point regarding grandfathered amounts, but gained his concession that they wouldn’t want any more.

The proposed amendment seeks to add a new subsection to prohibit storage of commercial fertilizers “unless such storage is within a structure designed and engineered to prevent escape or transport of commercial fertilizers to the groundwater under any circumstances.”

The town council referred the amendment to the planning board on July 12 and will schedule its own public hearing for an upcoming meeting.